England player ratings after First Test defeat to West Indies

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Will Macpherson12 July 2020

Ben Stokes conceded England had not been ruthless enough with the bat after falling to a four-wicket defeat in the first Test against the West Indies.

Jermaine Blackwood scored a match-winning 95 as Test cricket's big return ended with the tourists chasing down 200 to defeat the hosts in their Ageas Bowl 'bubble'.

England set their target by squeezing 29 from the last two wickets to finish 313 all out, but it proved not to be enough.

"You've got to believe that's enough," Stokes told Sky Sports. "If you start to think that you don't have quite enough on the board then you're already losing.

"Ideally we would have liked to have got a lot more runs in the first innings.

"We got ourselves into some great positions at times with the bat and unfortunately we just weren't ruthless enough to really go on and make our batting innings count."

Here's how England rated during the First Test...

Solid stuff on the opener’s return. Could not make two starts count, in very frustrating fashion in the second innings, but provides a reassuring presence.

Batted well in a promising second innings, although both his dismissals were worrying in different ways. Not least that a ball aimed at his hip got him again.

AP

Has the time come to move on? Yes. Twice got himself in, then got out. The first time, that was through a glaring technical issue, the second in the softest fashion imaginable.

Very impressive in the second innings, and should stay win the team when Root returns. Raw, but much to work with and invest in.

Ben Stokes | 7

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Two scores in the forties, and twice out to Jason Holder was acceptable but not ideal. Huge effort with the ball in both innings.

Two failures a reminder that the great hope of English cricket is still developing, and should remain at No6 for a good while.

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Handy cameo in the first innings, and disappointing in the second. England need more with the bat from their keeper. Very poor drop of Jermaine Blackwood down the leg-side in the fourth innings.

Very tidy in the first innings with bat and ball, bringing important runs and wickets. Quieter in the second innings, but did not bowl badly, and was denied two wickets by the umpire’s call. Not yet a spinner who is going to run through a side too often.

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A little short of a gallop in the first innings, but outstanding in the second. Should play at Old Trafford, if fit.

Fast but a little loose in the first innings, and better in the second. Place is under threat from Stuart Broad, whose stock has never been higher.

Was disciplined and parsimonious throughout, although his threat level dropped in the second innings. Will be interesting to see how he backs up on a three-day turnaround.

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